Georgia’s Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied clemency to death-row inmate Stacey Humphreys, but his scheduled execution has since been halted by a judge less than 24 hours before he was due to receive a lethal injection.
Humphreys, 53, had been due to die at 7pm on Wednesday, 16 September, at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Tyler Browning issued a stay late on Tuesday to allow a hearing under the state’s new Survivor Justice Act.
The law allows some people convicted of capital offences before 1 July 2025 to seek resentencing if severe childhood abuse or family violence significantly contributed to their crimes.
Humphreys’ lawyers argue that he endured chronic physical, emotional and sexual abuse as a child. The judge’s order means his execution cannot proceed unless the stay is lifted by the court.
Georgia clemency bid rejected
The parole board said it had reviewed the material presented during its clemency meeting, including information about Humphreys’ life and criminal history, before rejecting his request.
In Georgia, the board has sole constitutional authority to grant clemency in death-penalty cases. Its decision had cleared the way for the execution ordered by Cobb County Superior Court.
Humphreys was sentenced to death after being convicted in 2007 of murdering real-estate agents Cyndi Williams, 33, and Lori Brown, 21, in Cobb County in 2003.
The women were found dead inside a sales office at the Oakwind subdivision in Powder Springs. Prosecutors said Humphreys kidnapped them, shot and strangled them, and took their bank and credit cards.
Humphreys, who was on parole after serving almost eight years for theft offences, fled Georgia after missing a parole meeting. He was later arrested outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, following a police chase.
Police recovered a Ruger 9mm pistol from his rented vehicle, along with blood evidence linked to both victims, prosecutors said.
The trial was moved to Glynn County because of pre-trial publicity. Jurors deliberated for almost 19 hours before returning a death sentence.
The state is expected to challenge the stay. If an appeals court rules before the scheduled execution time that Humphreys is not entitled to a hearing under the Survivor Justice Act, Judge Browning has indicated he could lift the order.
